Mark Hinchliffe
Contributing Journalist
24 May 2007
2 min read

ā€œIt would be fair to assume that any new vehicle program so close to launch would be looking to finalise items such as climate-control calibrations and engine ventilation in extreme environments such as the Northern Territory,ā€ says Craig Smith, Renault Australia communications manager.

The photos show various parts of the car, but no overall shots. But Renault claims the car will be sleek and elegant. ā€œSpeculation in Europe is that the car will be bigger than the current model and come with a range of hi-tech diesels,ā€ Smith says. ā€œQuality targets for the program have been very high with benchmarks set against the likes of BMW and Mercedes.ā€

Renault Australia is hoping to have the car in mid to late 2008. The current Laguna, which is offered in diesel-only configuration in Australia, has sold only 19 so far this year.

ā€œCurrent Laguna sales are less than we would like but we are confident in the diesel-only strategy,ā€ Smith says. ā€œOne of the key drivers of launching the current car late last year was to keep the nameplate ticking over until we launch the new car.ā€

The new Laguna, called the X91 project, is the flagship model for the marque's ā€œproduct revolutionā€ of new models over the next few years.

It will be fully revealed on June 4. However a preview website, has been launched and further details will gradually be revealed closer to the car's official launch. The site also includes a video of the car undergoing hot-weather testing in Malaysia at the hands of Renault F1 Teams drivers, Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.Ā Ā 

Mark Hinchliffe
Contributing Journalist
Mark Hinchliffe is a former CarsGuide contributor and News Limited journalist, where he used his automotive expertise to specialise in motorcycle news and reviews.
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